Grinding wheel spindle assembly

ABSTRACT

SPINDLE STUB FOR WHEEL MACHINES, PARTICULARLY CUT-OFF MACHINES, TO ELIMINATE THE NECESSITY OF REPLACEMENT OF THE SPINDLE, ALSO SEPARATE FLANGES TO INCREASE THE SPINDLE DIAMETER AND RESIT END THRUST, AS WELL AS TO PERMIT REVERSAL OF THE FLANGES TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE SPINDLE, ALSO THE INCLUSION OR MULTI-LAYER CUSHIONING RINGS BETWEEN THE GRINDING WHEEL AND FLANGES TO FURTHER REDUCE WEAR OF THE FLANGE FACES AND TO REDUCE VIBRATION.

March 2, 1971 v LQNABERGER ETAL 3,566 547 GRINDING WHEEL SPINDLE ASSEMBLY Filed NOV. 28, 1967 Fig.1;

E I4 I3 llTTl III II HH INVENTORS CHARLES W. STICKLERJR.

ATTORNEY ROBERT F. LONABERGER Patented Mar. 2, 1971 3,566,547 GRINDING WHEEL SPINDLE ASSEMBLY Robert F. Lonaberger and Charles W. Stickler, (In, Reading, Pa., assignors to Gray Tech Industries, Inc., Mohnton, Pa.

Filed Nov. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 686,022 Int. Cl. B24b 45/00 US. Cl. 51-168 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Spindle stub for grinding wheel machines, particularly cut-off machines, to eliminate the necessity of replacement of the spindle, also separate flanges to increase the spindle diameter and resist end thrust, as well as to permit reversal of the flanges to extend the life of the spindle, also the inclusion of multi-layer cushioning rings between the grinding wheel and flanges to further reduce wear of the flange faces and to reduce vibration.

This invention relates generally to grinding wheel machines and, more particularly, to the spindle construction of such machines particularly, cut-off machines which have the greatest wear in the area where the grinding wheel is mounted.

In the past, as the result of wear of the spindle surfaces contacting the grinding wheel, it has been necessary to frequently replace the entire spindle, which has involved considerable cost. Also the spindles have not operated entirely satisfactorily, particularly in cut-off machines where excessive side pressures occur since the flanges are small and wear excessively from said side pressure. Also excessive vibration has been a problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel spindle stub assembly for a grinding wheel spindle so as to overcome the above-named disadvantages and greatly prolong the life of the spindle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spindle assembly for grinding wheels which will enable reversal of the flanges contacting the grinding wheel so as to prolong the life of the flanges as well as to withstand side forces to a considerably greater extent than heretofore possible.

A still furhter object of the present invention is to provide, in a grinding wheel spindle assembly, cushioning rings or gaskets to minimize vibration as well as excessive wear of the flange surfaces of'the spindle.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of a spindle for a grinding wheel, particularly, one used in a cutoff machine, that is, where the grinding wheel is very narrow so as to be used somewhat as a cutting tool; and,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the various elements of FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, numeral 1 denotes a spindle rigidly secured to a flange, such as 12, and is provided with a flush end surface contacting the grinding wheel 18 of relatively thin construction so as to be useful in cut-off machines.

In accordance with the present invention, the end of spindle 1 is drilled and tapped at 2 and there is screw threadedly connected to the threaded hole formed thereby a threaded stub, generally denoted by numeral 4 (FIG. 2) having one end portion 6 which is screw threaded into hole 2. The grinding wheel 18 is slipped over an unthreaded shank portion 8 and abuts a collar portion. The other'end portion of the shank is threaded so that an internally threaded cap nut 10 may be screwed. thereon and engage the outside surface of a flange 15 and hold it firmly against the grinding wheel 18, as shown in FIG. 1. A complementary flange 12 engages the opposite surface of the grinding wheel 18. A plurality of holes 13 are formed along a circular path of the end surface of flange 12 into which are fitted pins 14 which project into corresponding holes formed in flange 15.

The normaldiameter of flanges 12 and 15 are as shown and, as'such, are often ineffective to withstand the high side pressures formed by grinding wheel 18 as the result of the grinding process. In accordance with the present invention, separate flange extensions 16, 16 are provided having circularly disposed holes corresponding to the outer holes formed in flanges 12 and 15 and into which fastening means or screw 19 may be inserted for clamping the flange extensions 16, 16 to the respective flanges 12 and 15. Thus, after the surfaces of the flange extensions 16, 16 which about the grinding wheel 18 become scored or worn, the flange extentions 16, 16 may be reversed so as to present new surfaces to confront and engage the grinding wheel 18.

To further minimize wear of the flange extensions 16, 16 from frictional contact with the sides of the grinding wheel 18, resilient rings or gaskets 17 are provided, which are preferably multi-plied, elastic rubber rings to enable absorption of vibration of the grinding wheel 18, also to provide a relatively non-slip drive to the grinding wheel. Such compressible and yieldable, multi-layered gaskets greatly enhance the life of the spindle assembly.

Moreover, the resilient rings 17 are readily replaceable when worn. The flange extensions 16, 16 are easily reversible and replaceable when worn.

While a relatively thin grinding wheel 18 is shown for purposes of illustration, it should be noted that a much thicker grinding wheel may be used instead.

Also, in some instances, the resilient rings 17 may be omitted.

Thus it will be seen that we have provided an eflicient spindle stub assembly that makes it unnecessary to replace the entire spindle because of wear and, instead, permits replacement of only a flange, flange extension or rubber ring, therefore greatly reducing maintenance costs and considerably increasing the life of the spindle; furthermore, we have provided novel flange extensions which not only withstand side forces or thrusts, from grinding to a considerably greater extent, but which are reversible in construction so that upon wear of one surface in contact with the grinding wheel, it may be reversed to expose a new smooth surface to the grinding wheel.

While we have illustrated and described a'single specific embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only, and that various changes and modifications may be made within the contemplation of our invention and within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A grinding wheel assembly comprising a spindle, a threaded tap formed in the end of the spindle, a stub having threaded end portions, one being screw threaded to said tap, a pair of complementary flanges surrounding said spindle, confronting slotted annular portions formed in the peripheries of said flanges, flat annular rings of uniform thickness and of substantially greater diameter than that of said flanges and adapted to be fitted into said slotted annular portions, a grinding wheel clamped between said flanges and rings, and a nut screw threaded to the other threaded end portion of said stub and abutting one of said flanges to forcibly hold it and its corresponding ring against one surface of said grinding wheel.

2. A grinding wheel assembly as recited in claim 1 together with a pair of multi-ply rubber cushioning rings mounted between said rings for cushioning vibration of said grinding wheel and minimizing frictional wear between the contacting surfaces of said rings and said grinding wheel.

3. A grinding wheel assembly as recited in claim 2 together with circularly spaced registering holes extending through said flanges, rings and gaskets, and fastening means extending through said holes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Cole 5 1-168 Gammeter 51-168 Miller 51--168 Reames 51378 Holdash 51168X Dreiling 51168X Mossman 51-168 DONALD G. KELLY, Primary Examiner 

